Project R2-D2 PC

[TheGreatSatan]

Today I added the DVD drive to the front of R2. I decided against Stealthing it.

Next, I added the motherboard shroud.

And attahced the Duct sucking cool air from the outside and blowing it on the motherboard.

The whole inside shot. I think I have everything I need inside.

[TheGreatSatan]

Today I worked on finishing my temperature LCD. Originally it was too short to reach the processor, so I added 9 inches (23 cm) to it.

Here's room temp.

And after 1 mintute of the system (Vapochill) running.

And after 5 minutes, and where it stopped since.

Here's a couple of images from the inside while running.

And my working Orbital Matrix (still needs to be remounted)

And lastly my desktop.

[TheGreatSatan]

R2-D2 is nearly completed. I still have to remount the Matrix Orbital and try to fix the temp LCD. I've already prepared my office for him and have taken back my 19 inch LCD from my daughter.

[TheGreatSatan]

R2 is finally done (for the most part). I still have to clean up some areas like the slot loading drive and LCD screen's positioning. It is done enough to finally be utilized and be moved from the basment to my office. I had to rent an appliance dolly to move it!

[TheGreatSatan]

I did some playing around with 3DMark05 and my Graphics card settings. Using the free edition of 3DMark05 and my Radeon 9800XT set at 385Mhz core and 284Mhz Memory, I scored:

2109
CPU test 1 - 2.1fps
CPU test 2 - 3.4fps
CPU score 4000

Then I downloaded the 3DMark05 patch, retested and got:

2087
CPU test 1 - 2.2fps
CPU test 2 - 3.5fps
CPU score 4173

Then I went ahead and bought the program for $20. I OC'd my card using the ATI tool. I set my core to 415Mhz and the memory to 297Mhz. I ran the test one last time:

2213
CPU test 1 - 2.2fps
CPU test 2 - 3.4fps
CPU score 4115

Is there anything else I can do, cuz my fps' seems awefully loooooow.

[TheGreatSatan]

I installed motherboard monitor and keep the temps on my destop at all times. My CPU is usually around -10C to -18C, but my case is around 48C. I removed the motherboard shroud from the inside and my temps have gone down to 40C. I think that there was plenty of air getting to the motherboard, but only 1 80mm exhaust fan isn't enough to pull the warm air out.

Since heat rises and get's stuck under the dome, I've decided to put another exhuast fan on R2's head. Either on the back or right on the top middle with blue LED's. Let me know what you think before I make the cut.

[crazybillybob]

Here's an Idea.

R2 has an other Light on the back of his dome (just like the Red Lens on the front) that flashes yellow and Green. It should be about 1.5" (38mm) which you could fudge to 50mm with no problems.
Or you could drill about 100holes in a circular pattern back there and mount an 80mm where ever you want (I used 1/8" holes as a blow hole on my gaming PC, really helped cool it down (drops case temp by 12-15degrees)

Good Luck,
Crazybillybob

[TheGreatSatan]

I just found out today that R2-D2 has won Bawl's "Out of the Box" Mod for October! They haven't updated the web page yet, but check back.

http://www.bgcg.net/hotmod/

[TheGreatSatan]

I got my new issue of PCE Magazine today and guess what? R2D2 was inside! I never even got a PM or email or nothing.

If you seriously want to get your mod published go to their site, join and post your mod. This is the second month in a row I've been published in PCE. They need modders, so get your butts in gear!

[TheGreatSatan]

Now that R2D2 is running again, after I replaced the fuse in the Vapochill, I can finally finish the mod. Today I started first working on the Temp LCD, but it's just junk. I'll have to get a new one.

I want everyone to know that I got a new Dremel! It's better than Sex!!

Then I got busy on fixing up the Matrix Orbital LCD. My original installation was hasty and lacked a real smoothness.

Here's my Supplies.

I taped up the LCD as to not get paint on it later.

White base coat

And blue, more to do tomorrow.